Cruz impresses in first look in outfield

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As Michael Pineda threw his warmup pitches off the Hammond Stadium mound in the minutes leading up to Wednesday's game against the Pirates, Eddie Rosario jogged out to his left-field position, settling next to center fielder Nelson Cruz - retired, who was playing catch with right fielder Byron Buxton.

Wait, what?

"The person that was sweating the most was [first-base coach and outfield instructor] Tommy Watkins, who needed a towel to get the perspiration off," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli joked. "He was dripping."

"Everybody was shocked. I don't know why," Cruz said. "It was fun."

The 38-year-old Cruz was just having a little fun during warmups before he made his way over to his real position in right field for his first defensive appearance of the spring. Starting with a deep fly ball in the second inning that carried Cruz back to the warning track, the veteran outfielder successfully handled all three chances in right field in Minnesota's 6-5 loss.

"It's something that I really enjoy," Cruz said. "Definitely, you always miss it. I feel like even the days you don't hit, you do something positive for the team, at least make some catches."

Cruz has started only nine games in the outfield in the past two seasons, but he could be called upon to play right field early in the year, when the Twins are scheduled for four Interleague games on the road against the Phillies and Mets.

Baldelli was impressed with Cruz's instincts and movement in right field. He highlighted a play in the top of the fifth inning, when Patrick Kivlehan lifted a shallow popup that Cruz nabbed while running toward the infield, as first baseman C.J. Cron wasn't positioned well to make the play.

"He broke after the ball in a way that a good outfielder with good experience -- like he is -- breaks after the ball," Baldelli said. "That's a ball that drops a lot of the time with positioning and -- in a situation where if you don't break after that ball immediately and realize that there's no one there for it, that ball can fall."

Baldelli will talk to Cruz to see if the veteran wants more time in the outfield before the end of the spring. He plans to reassess the situation after Minnesota's trip to Philadelphia and New York to gauge whether Cruz will continue to be a viable option in the outfield.

"He's going to, of course, be DHing the vast majority of the time, but it's nice to know that it's also an option," Baldelli said.

Twins release Duda, reassign four to Minor League camp
First baseman Lucas Duda was granted his release on Wednesday after Minnesota informed the left-handed slugger that he would not be on the Major League roster. Duda had a provision in his Minor League contract with the Twins that would have allowed him to opt out by Friday.

Duda, 33, was 8-for-31 (.258) with a team-leading seven walks in 13 games this spring after he signed a Minor League contract to compete with Tyler Austin for a backup roster spot. But his chances of making the Major League roster appeared slim, especially once Minnesota signed Marwin Gonzalez, who can play all four infield positions.

"When we brought him into camp, the expectation was for him to potentially compete for one of those roles off the bench," chief baseball officer Derek Falvey said. "But we’ve stayed relatively healthy in that space, so that changes the dynamic for any of these guys sometimes. I think he did enough. I’m really hopeful for Lucas because I think he’s as good a guy as you’re going to find down there."

Right-handed pitchers Ryan Eades and Jake Reed, left-handed pitcher Justin Nicolino and catcher Wynston Sawyer were also reassigned to Minor League camp, leaving 36 players on the Major League side.

Twins tidbits
• Michael Pineda was pleased with his slider and changeup as he struck out five and allowed only two hits and one walk in five scoreless innings on Wednesday.

"I think this was a great outing for him as we’re getting close to breaking camp," Baldelli said. "I think he felt very good about how it went. I think I and the rest of the staff also feel the same way, and it’s not just because you look up and don’t see very many hits or runs on the board. I think the execution was excellent."

• Jake Odorizzi, who hasn't appeared in a Major League game since March 10, traveled to Port Charlotte on Wednesday with catcher Mitch Garver to pitch in a Minor League game.

Up next
The Twins are off on Thursday before they host the Red Sox for the final time this spring at 5:05 p.m. CT on Friday with victory in the Chairman's Cup series already guaranteed, as Minnesota holds a 4-2 lead in the seven-game series between the crosstown rivals. Kyle Gibson is expected to make his third start of the spring after his scheduled outing last Saturday in Port Charlotte was canceled due to rain.